The Latest Mobile Technology Trends

November 22, 2017

It’s safe to say by now that we’re all pretty aware of how much technology is changing our lives, and evolving on an almost-daily basis. Whether you’re using it at home, at work or to play at online casinos or indulge in some other leisure pursuit, the lines between the digital and the physical worlds are increasingly blurred.

If you look back at a few years ago, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come and how much we’ve become accustomed to. It’s impossible for many people to think of dealing with irritating dial-up connections these days, or to imagine having to develop rolls of film before being able to see the pictures that you took. Technological developments make life better, and taking full advantage of them often makes life best.

One of the biggest areas of technological development right now is the evolution of all things mobile. We’re moving towards using handheld devices for almost all our digital needs, and it’s happening a lot faster than the online evolution did. The scope of our “digital needs” is increasing too, as we discover more applications and ways that we can use technology. Here’s a quick overview of just a few of the latest trends in mobile tech.

Maturation of Mobile Augmented Reality

Virtual Reality is continuing its development, but for the moment Augmented Reality seems to be taking the lead in the mobile sector. It’s cheaper to produce quality AR than quality VR, and the practical applications are better. Immersive educational and recreational worlds can be created with VR, but AR makes it easier to function in and learn about the modern one that we find ourselves in now.

Information from accelerometers, the Internet and GPS could be triangulated, and digital information superimposed on the real world as you looked at it through the screen of your smart device. You could point your phone at a current restaurant to learn about when and how the building was constructed, or to read current reviews. The technology to make all this a reality exists, and should be brought together in this way soon.

Google Translate already has an AR feature that is used in conjunction with its camera to parse text in another language, while WallaMe allows app users to leave hidden messages around the world. Other app users can find the text and images that were left there, using their device’s camera to detect them. Be prepared for more enjoyable and useful AR apps to follow!

Open-Source Cell Phones

Open-source software on desktop computers is well-known, and preferred by many in all kinds of mathematical and scientific fields. Having open-source software on a smartphone would mean many of the services that we enjoy today, at a tiny fraction of current costs, as well as better compatibility across devices and enhanced access to more apps. Big names including Yahoo and Google are working with developers on this technology.

Better, More Flexible Mobile Screens

This one is great for anyone who has ever had to go through the irritation of a cracked phone screen, or anyone who lives in fear of the day they have to play their favourite slots through a web of glass. In other words, everyone who owns a smartphone or tablet. In other words, everyone! Scientists at the University of Sussex in Britain have combined graphene and silver nanowires to create a much more flexible screen than the indium tin oxide that is currently used.

Today’s phone screens also shatter easily because they are covered in glass, but the new material wouldn’t need a protective glass coating. The top layer could be made of something hardier, like acrylic. Indium tin oxide is not only fragile, but difficult to extract from the ground, which is what pushes up the price of touchscreen repairs. Now, you’re much less likely to need to repair your phone, and it will be much cheaper if you ever do need to. Mobile devices are evolving in all ways, including their physical structure!